additional comments/kits

Tim's comments were very appropriate, and one can store aliquots of
purified primary antibodies in a freezer, recommendations on storage
from antibody vendor is accessible. Just don't use a freezer that is
self defrost. Each component that you would find in a kit, can be either
made up (peroxidase/alk phos endog blockers), normal serum blocks,
primaries, secondaries, substrates and chromogen can be done in house,
very cost effective. There are even some staining devices which will not
break the bank and save on reagents (Shandon Coverplates/holders only).
This has worked for us for years, and we rarely ever purchase kits for
our research needs, even though they are reliable, with many excellent choices.
We just choose not to use the kit approach and lots of tweaking.
One thing you will need is a set of pipettes, for dilutions. The initial setup
will seem daunting, but overall, It is feasible, and people/other labs are
usually generous with offering control tissues.
Good luck,
Gayle Callis